Cleaning device, including fluid dispensing means



Nov. 20, 1956 Filed Sept. 26, 1952 J. L. ELLMAN' CLEANING DEVICE,INCLUDING FLUID DISPENSING MEANS Fig. 3'

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jacob L. l/man INVEN TOR.

Nov. 20, 1956 J. L. ELLMAN 2,

CLEANING DEVICE, INCLUDING FLUID DISPENSING MEANS Filed Sept. 26, 1952'2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jacob L. El/man INVENTOR.

United States Patent CLEANING DEVICE, INCLUDING FLUID DISPENSING MEANSJacob L. Ellman, Chicago, Ill. 1

Application September 26, 1952-, Serial No. 311,651 '3 Claims. (Cl.-131) This invention relates in general to cleaning devices, and morespecifically to cleanin'gdevices havingwiping elements adapted to beutilized for either cleaning or polishing. I

The primary object of this inventionis to provide an improved cleaningdevice which includes means for applying a fluid to :a wiping elementthereof whereby the application of initial or additional fluid to :asurface being worked on will be possible while the cleaning ,device isin mot-ion thus eliminating stoppage of operation for the purpose ofadding fluid, thus saving time and energy.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaningdevice which is so constructed and designed whereby the same may beutilized while the operator thereof is in a comfortable position,thereby eliminating certain labors and saving time with the foregoing ofan accident which might happen in the bathtub or other similar placesduring its use. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaningdevice which has original and attractive design, lending grace andbeauty to its environment, and thereby forming an added inducement forchildren to cleanup after use of bathtubs and other bowls, basins andsinks.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaningdevice which is of a relatively simple and compact construction andformed of readily obtainable material whereby the same may beeconomically feasible.

A further object of this invention is to provide animproved cleaningdevice wherein the cleaning fluid for the same is carried within thecleaning device and applicable directly to a surface being cleanedwhereby contact with strong detergents and caustics may be eliminated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedcleaning device which has integral means for dispensing cleaning fluids,said integral means permitting the use of stronger type detergents andthe like than ordinarily would be used inasmuch as no part of the humanbody comes in contact with the fluid.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certainnovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elementsand portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in thespecification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part ofthis application and in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device, which is thesubject of this invention, and showsthe general outline of the same;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional viewtaken substantially through the center of the lower portion of thecleaning device of Figure 1 and shows the general construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the planeindicated by the section line 3-3 of ment is detachably secured to thesupporting portion of the cleaning device;

Figure 4 is a sideelevational view of a pump device for the cleaningelement, said pump device being adapted ings therethrough, also beingshown is a bottom portion of the support element.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical elementsand portions throughout the specification and throughout the differentviews of the drawings. Referring 'now to the drawings in detail, it willbe seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1, the cleaning element,which'is the subject of this invention, the cleaning element beingreferred to in general by the reference numeral .10. The cleaningelement 10 includes a housing which is referred to in general by thereference numeral 12, the housing being connected to the lower end of atubular handle portion 14. Connected to the tubular handle portion 1 4and extend-ing upwardly therefrom is a detachable handle section '16,the detachable handle section 16 being connected to the lower handleportion 14 by a connector 1'8. Removably secured to the lower side ofthe housing 12 is a wiping element which is referred to in general bythe reference numeral 20.

Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that there isillustrated the lower portion of the cleaning device 10. It will benoted that the housing 12 is hollow and is in the form of a reservoirfor cleaning fluids and the like. In order that the cleaning fluids maybe transferred into the housing 12, the same is provided with a threadedfiller opening 22 which is normally closed by a removable filler plug24.

It will be noted that the central upper portion of the housing 12includes .an internally threaded projection 26 in which is threadedlyengaged the lower end of the tubular lower handle portion 14. While thespecific threaded connection has been illustrated, it will be understoodthat other fastening methods may be utilized. It will be noted that thehollow handle portion 14 is communicated with the interior of thehousing 12.

Disposed within the housing 12 and projecting outwardly into the hollowhandle 14 is .a pump assembly which is referred to in general by thereference numeral '28. The pump assembly 28 includes an enlargedsupport-ing plate 30 which has secured to the upper surface thereof anupwardly extending valve block 32. The plate and disposed within thelower portion of the handle 14 is an elongated tube portion '34 of thepump assembly.'

The tube portion 34 is provided with a plurality of annular grooves andprojections 36 which have secured thereover at the lower end anelongated flexible bulb 1 member 38. The bulb 38 is provided with alocking ring 40 which secures the same to the sleeve portion 34.

-In orderthat the housing 12 may be separated from the handle portion 14with which it communicates, the valve block 32 is provided with anintegral enlarged annular flange 42 at its intersection with the sleeveportion 3 4. Carried by the sleeve portion 34 is an enlarged gasket 44which overlies the flange 42 and is disposed between the same and theupper portion of the housing '12 to form a seal therebetween to closethe lower end of the handle portion 14. I

It will be noted that the valve block 32 includes an inverted Y-shapedpassageway. The Y-shaped passageway is formed by an upper passageway 46passing through the sleeve portion 34 and which. communicates with apair of spaced lower passageways 48 and 50 which are disposed within thevalve block 32. The lower passageway 50 has an intake opening 52 whichcommunicates with the interior of the housing 12 and is adapted toreceive liquid disposed therein. The intake opening 52 is normallyclosed by a ball valve 54 which is urged downwardly by a spring 56disposed within the passageway 50.

Carried by the plate 30 and projecting therebelow is a discharge nozzle58. The discharge nozzle 58 is communicated with the lower end of thepassageway 48. The passageway 48 is provided intermediate. its ends witha discharge opening 60 which is controlled by a normally.

closed ball valve 52. The ball valve 62 is urged to a closing positionby a spring 64 disposed within the passageway 48.

In order that the bulb 38 may be selectively compressed, there isprovided an actuating lever 66. The actuating lever 66 is partiallydisposed within an elongated slot 68 in the handle portion 14 and has aportion thereof engaging the bulb 48 and another portion thereofextending outwardly of the housing portion 12. The actuating lever 66 isprovided at its upper end with a tongue portion 70 disposed within arelatively small opening 72 in the handle portion 14 above the slot 68and entering the same from the interior of the handle portion. Thetongue in combination with the opening 72 forms a hinge permitting thepivoting of the actuating lever 66. The lower end of the actuating leveris provided with a downwardly projecting flange 74 which engages theinner surface of the handle portion 14 adjacent the lowerend of the slot68 to form a stop therefor.

In the normal operation of the pump assembly 28, the bulb 38 may bedepressed by urging the actuating lever 66 inwardly. This results influid within the bulb 38 being urged to the Y-shaped passageway and intothe passageways 48 and 50 from the passageway 46. Inasmuch as the ballvalve 54 prevents the fluid from entering the housing 12, it will beseen that all of the fliud urged downwardly through the Y-shapedpassageway will be urged through the discharge opening 60 and outthrough the spray nozzle 58. It will be understood that the ball valve62 will be moved to an open position by the pressure of the fluid.

When the actuating lever 66 is released, the bulb 38 will return to itsnormal configuration with the result that the actuating lever 66 ismoved outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 2. At this time, avacuum is createdin the. Y-shaped passageway with the result that fluidis drawn up into the passageway 50 through the intake opening 52.Inasmuch as the intake opening 52 is disposed within the fluid withinthe housing 12, the same will be drawn up into the bulb 38. Repetitionof this pumping procedure will result in the transferring of fluid fromwithin the housing 12 out through the spray nozzle 58.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 6 in particular, it will be seen thatthe wiping element 20 includes a generally rectangular sponge-likeelement 67 which is secured to the lower side of a backing element 69.The sponge element 67 may be in the form of a natural sponge, syntheticsponge, or of any other suitable sponge-like material. It will be notedthat the sponge element 67 is provided with an enlarged openingtherethrough, the opening being referred to by the reference numeral 71.The opening 71 is aligned with an opening 73 through the backing 69, thespray nozzle 58 being aligned with and disposed within the opening 73whereby the same is in a position to spray fluids, such as detergents,polish, etc. onto a surface through the opening 71.

As is best illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, secured to the lower surfaceof the plate 30 and in spaced aligned relation is a pair of snap buttons75. These snap buttons 75 are resiliently received in spaced openings 76in the backing 69. Extending radially from the spaced openings 76 areslits 78 which are disposed in portions of reduced thickness surroundingthe openings 76 so as to resiliently receive the snap buttons 75. Itwill be understood that the snap buttons 75 and the openings 76 providean attaching means for the wiping element which permits removal of thesame. The wiping element is aligned with respect to the housing 12 by acentrally located flange 80 which projects rearwardly from the rear edgeof the backing 69 and is received in a notch 82 in the housing 12 forcentering the backing 69. It will also be noted that the sponge element67 is provided with openings 84 which communicate with the openings 76in the backing 69.

Referring once again to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that theconnecting element 18 is provided with an enlarged externally threadedlower portion 86 which is removably engaged in the upper end of thehandle portion 14. The connecting element 18 also includes an upperportion or reduced size which is also externally threaded. The upperportion is referred to by the reference numeral 88 and is threadedlyengaged within the lower portion of the handle portion 16. It will beunderstood that the handle portion 16 is removable from the handleportion 14'to permit use of the cleaning device 10 in confined places.Also, as is best illustrated in Figure 1, the upper end of the handleportion 16 is provided with a ring-like element 90 which permits thehanging of the same on a convenient hook.

When it is desired to utilize the cleaning device 10, the sponge element67 of the wiping element 20 is placed into engagement with a surface tobe cleaned. The actuating lever 66 is then pressed inwardly with theresult that any fluid disposed within the housing 12 is sprayed onto thesurface through the opening 71. The cleaning device 10 is then utilizedin the same manner as a mop to clean the floor. When additional cleaningfluid is deemed necessary, the actuating element 66 is once againpressed inwardly in order to spray the cleaning fluid on the surfacebeing cleaned.

While the wiping element 20 has been illustrated and described asincluding a sponge element, it will be understood that wiping elements20 of diflerent designs including felt pads, etc., may be removablysecured to the housing 12 for forming other household functions. Forexample, the cleaning device 10 may be utilized for both applying wax toa floor and also for polishing the same by placing the correct type ofwiping element on the lower end thereof.

The housing, pump assembly, and handle portions of the cleaning device10 are preferably formed of plastic although other suitable materials,including aluminum, may be utilized. It will be understood that thematerial utilized in the cleaning device 10 must be such as to resistattack by the fluid adapted to be disposed within the reservoir portionof the housing 12.

Inasmuch as the cleaning fluid is distributed both to the surface beingcleaned and the wiping element, it will be seen that the cleaning fluiddoes not come in contact with the body of the user of the cleaningdevice which is the subject of this invention. Therefore, detergentswhich are harmful to the hands may be utilized for cleaning purposes.Such detergents facilitated the cleaning operation and require lesswork.

While the wiping element has been illustrated and described as beingattached to the plate 30 by snap buttons, it will be understood that theinvention is not so limited, the connection between the wiping elementand the plate 30 may be varied in both types of fastener utilized andthe relative position of the same.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoingdescription of the details thereof, taken in connection with the aboverecited objects and the drawing. Further description would appear to beunnecessary.

Minor modifications of the device, varying in minor details from theembodiment of the device illustrated and described here, may be resortedto without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cleaning and polishing implement comprising an upright handlehaving a hollow lower portion, a hollow housing secured to said handleat the lower end thereof, said housing having an open lower end, a platesecured to said housing and normally closing said open lower end to formin combination with said housing a liquid reservoir, a wiping elementunderlying said plate, fastening means detachably securing said wipingelement to said plate, a liquid pump assembled with said plate as aunit, said liquid pump including a valve assembly and a pump member,said valve assembly being disposed within said housing and adapted tocommunicate with both the interior of said housing for receiving liquidtherefrom and with said wiping element for distributing liquid thereto,said pump member being disposed in said hollow lower portion, meanscarried by said handle for actuating said pump member.

2. A cleaning and polishing implement comprising an upright handlehaving a hollow lower portion, a hollow housing secured to said handleat the lower end thereof, said housing having the interior thereofinitially communicated with said hollow lower portion, said housinghaving an open lower end, a plate secured to said housing and normallyclosing said open lower end to form in combination with said housing aliquid reservoir, a wiping element underlying said plate, fasteningmeans detachably securing said wiping element to said plate, a liquidpump secured to said plate, said liquid pump including a valve assemblyand a pump member, said valve assembly being disposed within saidhousing and adapted to communicate with both the interior of saidhousing for receiving liquid therefrom and with said wiping element fordistributing liquid thereto, said pump member being disposed in saidhollow lower portion, means carried by said handle for actuating saidpump member, said valve assembly extending into said hollow lowerportion and sealing said housing relative to said hollow lower portionto prevent the escape of liquid into said hollow lower portion.

3. A cleaning and polishing implement comprising an upright handlehaving a hollow lower portion, a hollow housing secured to said handleat the lower end thereof, said housing having the interior thereofinitially communicated with said hollow lower portion, said housinghaving an open lower end, a plate secured to said housing and normallyclosing said open lower end to form in combination with said housing aliquid reservoir, a wiping element underlying said plate, fasteningmeans detachably securing said wiping element to said plate, a liquidpump secured to said plate, said liquid pump including a valve assemblyand a pump member, said valve assembly being disposed within saidhousing and adapted to communicate with both the interior of saidhousing for receiving liquid therefrom and with said wiping element fordistributing liquid thereto, said pump member being disposed in saidhollow lower portion, means carried by said handle for actuating saidpump member, said valve assembly extending into said hollow lowerportion and sealing said housing relative to said hollow lower portionto prevent the escape of liquid into said hollow lower portion, saidpump member being in the form of a collapsible bulb, means releasablysecuring said bulb to said valve assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS551,764 Hayes Dec. 24, 1895 622,809 Keyser Apr. 11, 1899 1,021,708Schaeneman Mar. 26, 1912 1,535,304 Gerdin Apr. 28, 1925 1,637,951Marchione Aug. 2, 1927 1,640,924 Cook Aug. 30, 1927 2,028,214 HennessyJan. 21, 1936 2,243,607 Rosen et al May 27, 1941 2,554,571 Heishman May29, 1951 2,598,699 Jordan June 3, 1952 2,633,590 Mitchell Apr. 7, 1953FOREIGN PATENTS 176,157 Switzerland June 17, 1935 445,333 Italy Feb. 14,1949

